Impact of Mineralizing Agents on Aluminum Distribution and Acidity of ZSM-5 Zeolites.

Intensive research on improving the catalytic properties of zeolites is focused on modulating their acidity and the distribution of associated Al sites. Herein, by studying a series of ZSM-5 zeolites over a broad range of Al content, we demonstrate how the nature of the mineralizing agent (F or OH ) used in hydrothermal syntheses directly impacts Al sites distribution. The proportions of Al sites, probed by Al NMR, depend on the Si/Al ratio for F , but remain identical for OH (from Si/Al=30 to 760).

Defining a generic column set for achiral supercritical fluid chromatography applied to pharmaceuticals or natural products.

When starting a method development in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), the first step is usually to screen several stationary phases based on previous experience or simply based on what is available in the laboratory. However, as there are now a large number of stationary phases available for SFC, the choice of an adequate set of columns to rapidly achieve a satisfying result can be difficult. In this project, 16 columns comprising a wide diversity of stationary phases and polarities ranging from the most polar (like bare silica gel) to the least polar (like octadecylbonded-silica) were compared, based on the gradient analysis of 129 probe compounds.

Effect of the combination of DEET and flupyradifurone on the tick Ixodes ricinus: Repellency bioassay and pharmacological characterization using microtransplantation of synganglion membranes.

Ticks are vectors of many human and animal pathogens, and represent a major threat to public health. In recent years, an increase in tick-borne diseases has been observed, and new strategies are therefore needed in order to control tick numbers and reduce human tick bites. In the present study, we adapted the previous tick repellency bioassay based on the exploration behavior of the tick, using the ToxTrac software and video-tracking, to compare the repellent effect of two compounds on the tick Ixodes ricinus: N,N-diethyl-methyl-m-toluamide (DEET), and butenolide, flupyradifurone (FLU).

Effect of dilution solvent and injection volume on the analysis of basic hydrophilic therapeutic polypeptide salts with pressurized carbon dioxide mobile phases.

The chromatographic analysis of long-chain hydrophilic therapeutic peptides, with molecular weight mostly in the 3500-4500 Da range (31-34 amino acids), is explored with pressurized CO in the mobile phase. The optimal method was obtained on a Torus 2-PIC column, with a gradient elution of 50-90% co-solvent in CO, which is relevant of enhanced-fluidity liquid chromatography (EFLC). Both UV (210 nm) and mass spectrometric detection modes were employed to assess the purity of the major peak and its resolution from impurities.

Combined atomistic simulations to explore metastability and substrate effects in Ag-Co nanoalloy systems.

The Ag/Co nanoalloy system is a model system situated energetically at the limit of stability of the core-shell chemical ordering with respect to a simple phase separation behavior. This makes the system highly susceptible to effects of the environment, such as interaction with a substrate. However, kinetic effects may also be exploited by careful atom-by-atom particle growth that allows to lock in certain out-of-equilibrium configurations, such as off-center, quasi-Janus and even Janus type particles.

Development and preclinical evaluation of [F]FBVM as a new potent PET tracer for vesicular acetylcholine transporter.

Age-related neurodegenerative diseases have in common the occurrence of cognitive impairment, a highly incapacitating process that involves the cholinergic neurotransmission system. The vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) positron emission tomography (PET) tracer [F]fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol ((-)-[F]FEOBV) has recently demonstrated its high value to detect alterations of the cholinergic system in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy body. We present here the development of the new vesamicol derivative tracer (-)-(R,R)-5-[F]fluorobenzovesamicol ((-)[F]FBVM) that we compared to (-)[F]FEOBV in the same experimental conditions.

Allochthonous material originating from saprolite as a marker of termite activity in Ferralsols.

Ferralsols, which are estimated to cover 7.5 millions km worldwide, are deeply weathered red or yellow soils found in the humid tropics. They are considered as the end of a geochemical sequence of weathering and are dominated by low-activity clay and sesquioxides.

An study of thermal crystallization of amorphous calcium phosphates.

The heat-induced crystallization of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) is an intriguing process not yet well comprehended. This is because most of the works on this topic are based on studies where the materials are characterized after the heat and cooldown cycles, thus missing transient structural changes. Here, we used time-resolved energy dispersive X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy to study, for the first time, the thermal crystallization of ACP .

Exploring the Carbon/Electrolyte Interface in Supercapacitors Operating in Highly Concentrated Aqueous Electrolytes.

The development of superconcentrated or water-in-salt electrolytes (WISEs) has paved a new way toward realizing environmentally friendly, nonflammable batteries and supercapacitors based on aqueous electrolytes. The development of new electrolytes, such as WISEs, needs to be accompanied by further studies of the charging mechanism. This is essential to guide the choice of the electrode/electrolyte pairs for optimizing the performance of WISE-based supercapacitors.

Recent advances in the therapeutic potential of emodin for human health.

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is a bioactive compound, a natural anthraquinone aglycone, present mainly in herbaceous species of the families Fabaceae, Polygonaceae and Rhamnaceae, with a physiological role in protection against abiotic stress in vegetative tissues. Emodin is mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat sore throats, carbuncles, sores, blood stasis, and damp-heat jaundice. Pharmacological research in the last decade has revealed other potential therapeutic applications such as anticancer, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Effects of a 3-Month Physical Training on Cortisol and Testosterone Responses in Women After Bariatric Surgery.

Purpose: Although it is well established that physical activity (PA) may partially correct the metabolic and hormonal alterations observed in patients with obesity, knowledge of its impact after bariatric surgery (BS) remains poor. The purpose of this study was to assess the repercussions of physical training on cortisol and testosterone responses in post-BS women.

Materials And Methods: According to a randomized clinical trial, a PA group (11 women) started a 3-month physical training 6 weeks after BS, whereas no specific activity was proposed to a control group (9 women).

Theoretical and Experimental Studies of Gallate Melilite Electrides from Topotactic Reduction of Interstitial Oxide Ion Conductors.

A nonstoichiometric LaSrGaO melilite oxide ion conductor features active interstitial oxygen defects in its pentagonal rings with high mobility. In this study, electron localization function calculated by density functional theory indicated that the interstitial oxide ions located in the pentagonal rings of gallate melilites may be removed and replaced by electron anions that are confined within the pentagonal rings, which would therefore convert the melilite interstitial oxide ion conductor into a zero-dimensional (0D) electride. The more active interstitial oxide ions, compared to the framework oxide ions, make the LaSrGaO melilite structure more reducible by CaH using topotactic reduction, in contrast to the hardly reducible nature of parent LaSrGaO.

From Methylome to Integrative Analysis of Tissue Specificity.

DNA methylation is the most studied epigenetic mark in both plants and animals. The gold standard for assaying genome-wide DNA methylation at single-base resolution is whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Here, we describe an improved procedure for WGBS and original bioinformatic workflows applied to unravel tissue-specific variations of the methylome in relation to gene expression and accumulation of secondary metabolites in the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus.

The use of insecticide mixtures containing neonicotinoids as a strategy to limit insect pests: Efficiency and mode of action.

Synthetic insecticides continue to be the main strategy for managing insect pests, which are a major concern for both crop protection and public health. As nicotinic acetylcholine receptors play a central role in insect neurotransmission, they are the molecular target of neurotoxic insecticides such as neonicotinoids. These insecticides are used worldwide and have shown high efficiency in culture protection.

Solid-state P and Ag CP/MAS NMR as a powerful tool for studying of silver(I) complexes with N-thiophosphorylated thiourea and thioamide ligands.

A family of three- and four-coordinated silver(I) complexes of formulas [Ag(PPh ) L], [Ag(PPh )L], and [AgL] with N-thiophosphorylated thiourea and thioamide ligands of general formula RC(S)NHP(S)(OPri) [R = Ph, PhNH, iPrNH, tBuNH, NH ] have been studied by solid-state Ag and P CPMAS NMR spectroscopy. Ag NMR spectra have provided valuable structural information about Ag coordination, which is in good accordance with the available crystal structure data. The data presented in this work represent a significant addition to the available Ag chemical shifts and chemical shifts anisotropies.

The myrosinase-glucosinolate system to generate neoglycoproteins: A case study targeting mannose binding lectins.

A convenient strategy for a 'one-pot' synthesis of neoglycoproteins (NGP) was developed using the myrosinase-glucosinolate couple, a natural enzyme-substrate system. This enzymatic reaction allowed us to generate an isothiocyanate in situ which then reacted with the lysine residues of bovine serum albumin protein (BSA) to produce multivalent neoglycoproteins. Using two models, glucomoringin which is a natural glucosinolate bearing a l-rhamnose unit, and an artificial glucosinolate specifically designed for mannose type lectins, an average of up to 17.

Copper-catalyzed transformation of alkyl nitriles to -arylacetamide using diaryliodonium salts.

This work reports a simple and efficient method for the copper-catalyzed redox-neutral transformation of alkyl nitriles using eco-friendly diaryliodonium salts and leading to -arylacetamides. The method features high efficiency, broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.

Aminations and arylations by direct C-O activation for the design of 7,8-dihydro-6-5,8-ethanopyrido[3,2-]pyrimidines.

The design of some novel disubstituted 7,8-dihydro-6-5,8-ethanopyrido[3,2-]pyrimidine derivatives is reported. The series was developed from quinuclidinone, which afforded versatile platforms bearing one lactam function in position -2 that were then used to create C-N or C-C bonds for S Ar or palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions by C-O activation. The reaction conditions were optimized under microwave irradiation, and a wide range of amines or boronic acids were used to determine the scope and limitations of each method.

The reduction of the As and Pb phytotoxicity of a former mine technosol depends on the amendment type and properties.

In remediation of metal(loid) polluted soils, it is crucial to improve soil conditions and reduce metal(loid) toxicity to permit plant growth. To do that, amendments, such as biochar, activated carbon, and redmud, can be applied to the soil. Their effects are dependent on their type and properties.

Preparation of biocompatible hydrogels reinforced by different nanosheets.

The impact of inorganic nanosheets with various chemical compositions and properties at different concentrations on the rheological properties and the gelation formation of a thermo-responsive hydrogel was investigated. F127 Pluronic triblock copolymers, with the structure (EO)(PO)(EO) (EO: ethylene oxide and PO propylene oxide respectively), functionalized by dimethacrylate (F127-DMA) at a concentration of 25% was used in this study. After careful characterization by complementary techniques: transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction of nanosheets derived from the peeling of layered materials (montmorillonite, organoclays and hexaniobate), the nanosheets were seen to be suitably dispersed in the hydrogels.

Synthesis of novel series of 3,5-disubstituted imidazo[1,2-] [1,2,4]thiadiazoles involving SAr and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions.

The first access to 3,5-disubstituted imidazo[1,2-][1,2,4]thiadiazole derivatives is reported. The series were generated from 2-mercaptoimidazole, which afforded the key intermediate bearing two functional positions. The SAr reactivity toward tosyl release at the C-3 position was investigated and a regioselective electrophilic iodination in C-5 position was performed to allow a novel C-C bond using Suzuki-Miyaura reaction.

Access and modulation of substituted 1-methyl-1,6-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-]pyrazoles.

Despite the pharmacological potential of the pyrazolo[3,4-]pyrazoles, only a few methods of preparation and direct functionalization of this moiety have been described. We report herein a convenient design of new pyrazolo[3,4-]pyrazoles with a high therapeutic impact. The effective chosen strategy consists of hydrazine condensations and C-N Ullmann-type cross-coupling reactions with microwave activation.

Porosity induced by dislocation dynamics in quartz-rich shear bands of granitic rocks.

The production of micro-pores is a driving mechanism for fluids to interact with deep environment and influence rock properties. Yet, such a porosity still remains misunderstood to occur in viscous rocks and may be attributed to either grain boundary sliding (GBS), dissolution effects or sub-grain rotation. Here we focus on quartz-rich shear bands across the Naxos western granite (Aegean Sea, Greece), where we document sub-micron pores at quartz boundaries.

Calmidazolium induces a decrease in nicotine-induced currents and intracellular calcium levels after pulse application of nicotine onto insect neurosecretory cells.

Dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons, are a class of insect neurosecretory cells, which are involved in the control of several functions, such as excretion and reproduction, or the release of neurohormones. Previous studies demonstrated that they express different nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes, in particular α-bungarotoxin-insensitive receptors, with nAChR1 and nAChR2 subtypes. Here, we demonstrated that pulse application of 1 mM nicotine (300 ms pulse duration) induced inward currents which were reduced under bath application of 15 µM calmidazolium, a calmodulin inhibitor.